Motorcycle licence in Switzerland: categories A and A1
Two categories cover motorcycles in Switzerland, depending on the vehicle's displacement and power.
Sub-category A1: from age 15 or 16
Sub-category A1 covers motorcycles with a displacement not exceeding 125 cm³ and a maximum power of 11 kW.
The minimum age depends on the type of vehicle:
- 15 for a light motorcycle (limited to 45 km/h by construction, 4 kW and 50 cm³);
- 16 for other sub-category A1 vehicles, up to 125 cm³ and 11 kW.
The A1 licence also authorises riding special categories F, G and M.
Category A: from age 18, with progressive access to full power
Category A covers motorcycles with no limit on displacement or power. The minimum age is 18, but access to full power is progressive:
- the category A learner licence is in principle limited to motorcycles of at most 35 kW, with a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.2 kW/kg; the driving licence subsequently obtained carries the same limitation;
- a licence without this limitation is only issued to people who have already held a power-limited category A licence for at least two years and can demonstrate a flawless riding record.
Exceptions to the initial limitation exist for certain vocational training programmes, motorcycle police officers and traffic experts.
The A licence automatically unlocks sub-category A1, sub-category B1 (motor quadricycles and tricycles) as well as special categories F, G and M.
Scooter or fast electric bike instead of a motorcycle?
A two-wheeler limited to 45 km/h sometimes falls under sub-category A1 (light motorcycle, combustion engine) and sometimes under special category M (moped, including the fast electric bike), depending on its exact motorisation. See the scooter licence page for the full distinction.
